Russ Payne:  

Caption For Photo: "Outback in the Dominican" (New picture as of 09/07/09) This one is of me and Madalyn in Punta Cana this past June. It was a great trip. We hope to go back someday. A message to my friends from "The Days That Used To Be": I am recently 65 and still feel fortunate to be on the planet. Got my "Red Card" for Medicare Part A the other day. I've done a lot of things since AHS graduation including surviving 8 years in the USAF, '64 thru '72. By the time I got out, I had earned a Bachelor's Degree from U. of Nebraska at Omaha. However, a degree in Sociology didn't open many doors: I was an Assistant Manager at your local Gino's Restaurant in Springfield - which I tired of quickly. Then I became a US Mail Carrier in Alexandria - which did not suit me either. So, I went back to graduate school at Arkansas State U. where I earned a Master's Degree in Rehab Counseling. I applied to 19 States and got on as a Counselor with the MO DESE Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. While working with DVR in North St. Louis for 8 years, I went to graduate school at St. Louis U., worked part time as an Adjunct Professor, and earned a PhD in Counselor Education. Eventually, I went into private practice full time for 20+ years, working primarly with DMH clients. I got bored with this and wanted more of a challenge. I cut my caseload from 45 to 4, and have worked as a Special Education Teacher since Fall 2003 in the Lindbergh School District. My primary mission has been to work with the cognitively impaired and emotionally disturbed students, supporting their efforts to remain in the regular education setting. This past school year I developed and facilitated the Sperreng Middle School's "Focus & COPE" program for the E.D. students. Along the way, I have had 2 marriages and 5 kids - three from the first and 2 from the second. The sec...Expand for more